Seeker (The Source Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

affirmative.
    “He killed or seriously injured an entire company of the King’s soldiers nearly a month ago, and they were beginning to tear villages apart in search of him.  I have learned that they captured him at a roadside tavern a half-day’s ride from our primary headquarters.  He was wounded, apparently, so they took him without further incident.”
    “I had hoped perhaps we would find a way to meet him,” Lyrra-Sharron remarked.  “A Sorcerer would make a fine ally.”  She paused to consider a moment.  “Get word to the lurkers.  If he is put on public display or any such thing, let us find a way to take him.  If the King does not kill him outright, of course.”
    “There’s the rub.  The Sorcerer is to be hanged tomorrow afternoon.  It would seem his Majesty is through with him.”
    Lyrra-Sharron crossed her arms.  “Drat!  This is unusual. The King generally has dealt with sorcery far more dramatically.”
    “Rumor further has it, he is without his powers.”
    She had not expected to ever hear Dak volunteer information like that.  Lyrra-Sharron was continuing to ponder his news.  “How many ‘friends’ do we have in or near Gara-Sharron?”
    Dak deliberated a moment.  “A couple dozen at best.”
    “We only have thirty with us here,” she remarked, calculating.  “I do not have to tell you how valuable a sorcerer could be to our cause.  We may be able to take him.  But it would not be easy.”
    Dak was never ruffled, but he eyed her suspiciously.  “Lyrra-Sharron, without his powers, he’s worthless.  What’s the point?”
    She paused momentarily, and studied him closely.  After the death of her original second, Lyrra-Sharron had taken months to decide on another.  Reliable, quiet, deeply intellectual Dak Amviir stood out time and again.  Never speaking unless he had something intelligent to say, and able to blend into any crowd with his dark eyes, straight brown hair and simple, clean-shaved face, it was easy not to notice him.  This of course caught Lyrra-Sharron’s attention.
    He had refused at first, oddly avoiding her for a time when she initially asked him to serve, but she finally wore him down and convinced him.  He was, to her continued satisfaction, an excellent spy and outstanding counselor, questioning her only to be certain they stayed the course of their mission, like a good second-in-command should.
    To him, she would explain her thoughts.  “The point, Dak, is that I cannot let that man be killed simply because his Majesty fears his power.  No, I would not let any be killed by that villain if it were possible.  This presents to us a unique opportunity.  Tell me, how do you usually enter the city?”
    “Through the north aqueduct.  There is a service tunnel below the water-level that is nearly forgotten.” Dak paused, clearly changing his line of thought.  “I don’t entirely understand how this will work for us.  You may be exposing our operation too much.  This could be suicidal, Lyrra-Sharron.”
    She considered that.  He wasn’t mistaken about the danger, but there had to be a way to spare the man.  Even without sorcery, he still was certain to possess knowledge she could use.  She paced some, weighing the risks and the rewards. 
    This was also the most her second had ever raised objections to one of her plans.
    “I have a few thoughts on this, Dak. I think it can be done with minimal risk, but positive exposure for our cause.  And even if we cannot save this sorcerer, this would certainly send a message the King could not possibly ignore.  That alone plays directly into our objectives.  Yes, my mind is made up…let us prepare to go to the Capitol.”
    Dak took hold of her arm, turning her towards him.  His deep brown eyes, always thoughtful, of almost unfathomable depth, bored into her. It was the first time he’d ever touched her, and even he seemed surprised as he dropped her arm like it was a burning ember in his hand.
    He